Top 5 Goals: NCAA Soccer Week 6 and USWNT Friendlies

This international break was different than usual, with the USWNT sending two long-time superstars off into the sunset. Not only were eyes on the USWNT, but the international break put more of a spotlight on college soccer. There was plenty of last-second drama that we have to get you caught up on. Let’s get into the Top 5 Goals from NCAA Soccer Week 6 and the USWNT sendoff for Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz. 

5. Hannah Anderson – Texas Tech Red Raiders

OMG!!! 😳 #NCAASoccer x 🎥 LHN / @TexasTechSoccer
pic.twitter.com/6ramRY19j4

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) September 22, 2023

Any time Texas Tech plays Texas, the Red Raiders want to beat Texas badly. Texas is the bigger school that gets more attention and resources, but Texas Tech is a program that’s been just as competitive with less. To beat Texas like this on a buzzer-beater will go down in Texas Tech history as one of their biggest wins ever.

Macy Blackburn put the perfect ball into the box because it forced the goalie to make a decision. Texas’ goalkeeper chose to come out, and Hannah Anderson beat her to the ball and got just enough on the header to find the back of the net. Pandemonium ensued.

Walk-off winners don’t get more exciting than that. 

4. Trinity Rodman – USWNT

⏰ 34'
⚽ Trinity Rodman
🅰️ Alex Morgan

Ótima jogada da #USWNT. Pressão na marcação no meio, com boa participação de Lindsey Horan. Toques rápidos de Emily Sonnett e Julie Ertz para iniciar a transição. Bela execução de Horan, Morgan e Rodman para definirpic.twitter.com/JgTvthEFTz

— Na Cara Do GOAL (@NaCaraDoGOAL) September 22, 2023

The USWNT sent off Julie Ertz and Megan Rapinoe in style with two wins over South Africa. This was one of the better team goals the USWNT has scored in a long time. Where was this at the World Cup? Sonnett to Dunn to Ertz to Horan to Morgan, who served it on a platter for Trinity Rodman. Six players touched the ball in a matter of seconds, a quick strike far more representative of what this team can do in attack. In her last game, it’s only fitting that Julie Ertz was involved in the build-up. 

3. Mimi Van Zanten – Florida State Seminoles

ARE YOU KIDDING?! WITH ONE SECOND TO GO?!#NCAASoccer #SCTop10 x 🎥 ESPNU / @FSUSoccer pic.twitter.com/k8aI1hYNgu

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) September 24, 2023

No. 1 North Carolina versus No. 3 Florida State was an instant classic and is the frontrunner for the match of the season. It was a back-and-forth heavyweight fight where both sides exchanged knockout punches.

Florida State took the lead twice, only for North Carolina to tie it twice. Then, the Tar Heels took the lead late in the last ten minutes, and it seemed they’d come out victorious for a moment. With less than ten seconds left and the clock ticking down, Taylor Huff put a great corner kick into the box and forced Emmie Allen to make a save. The ball fell right to Mimi Van Zanten, and the freshman was ready for her moment.

She smashed the ball home as time expired to salvage a draw. This game was even better than the hype surrounding it, and the ending was just the icing on the cake. 

2. Emma Pelkowski – Virginia Tech Hokies

WOW🤯🚀#NCAASoccer x 🎥 ACCN / @HokiesWSoccer pic.twitter.com/VmDBv0at0B

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) September 24, 2023

Virginia Tech has done well this season despite a tough schedule playing in the ACC. Syracuse didn’t stand a chance against the Hokies, and Emma Pelkowski made a statement to start the scoring.

The midfielder put on a nice move to dip her shoulder and cut inside to create the opening for the shot. Pelkowski still had a lot to do and let it rip while falling away like a fadeaway jumper in basketball. It was a clean strike that found the far corner. That’s how to put your laces through the ball.   

1. Sheyenne Allen – Brown Bears

🌈🌈#NCAASoccer x 🎥 ESPN+ / @BrownU_WSoccer
pic.twitter.com/eJ9HeB1zhw

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) September 24, 2023

Brown took on Harvard, and as the two best teams in the Ivy League, the winner would take a huge step toward becoming conference champions. The Bears would get off to a great start, thanks to Sheyenne Allen.

The senior struck this free kick to perfection, getting a little bit of help from the post on the way in. The height, the bend, and the accuracy were spot on, and it shows how Allen has been putting the work in on the training ground to get that technique just right. 

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